CAREER: Linking novel thermophiles with ecosystem function: Study of a model spring in Nevada

职业：将新型嗜热生物与生态系统功能联系起来：内华达州模型泉水的研究

• 批准号: 0546865
• 负责人: Brian Hedlund
• 金额: $ 84.16万
• 依托单位: University of Nevada Las Vegas
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-09-01 至 2012-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0546865&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAREER; Linking; novel; thermophiles; ecosystem

The goal of this project is to characterize the unusual microorganisms that thrive in Great Boiling Spring (Nevada), and their role in this and other hot springs in the Great Basin by integrating chemical, microbiological and molecular biological studies. In most environments on Earth, the sun is the source of energy that sustains life. Some environments, however, are not directly dependent on light energy because it is unavailable or because physical conditions prohibit photosynthesis. For example, in hot springs and other thermal habitats where temperatures are consistently above 73 degrees centigrade, photosynthesis stops. At such high temperatures, organisms must gain energy by transforming inorganic compounds, a process called chemolithoautotrophy. Great Basin hot springs appear to be different from better-studied springs in Yellowstone National Park in that they seem to be dominated by different chemolithoautotrophic microbes. These particular bacteria are new to science. In this study, the relevant chemistry of the hot springs will be determined and used to calculate the energy available to microorganisms. It is predicted that the reactions that yield the most energy will be most important to the microorganisms in the spring. Second, these predictions will be tested directly by measuring microbial activities in the spring and indirectly by measuring chemical changes with depth in sediment cores. Evidence of microbe-mediated chemical reactions and their locations in the spring sediment will be evident in changes in chemistry. Third, the activities that were predicted and measured will be tentatively assigned to microbial species by combining genomic DNA sequencing methods with stable isotope chemistry. Fourth, the information will be used to drive attempts to cultivate important microorganisms in the laboratory so they can be studied in more detail. In summary, this project will allow us to better understand the foundations of life in hot springs, and expand our knowledge of the diversity of life on Earth.In addition to training undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers, this study will be conducted in coordination with a summer field course involving UNLV students working together with Native American high school students and teachers from the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe. Students and teachers will participate in field and lab experiments designed to determine how stable Great Basin springs are on an inter-annual timescale including measurement of bulk chemistry and concomitant examination of the sediment microbial community. In addition, classes will include guest lectures and field trips led by guest scientists, geothermal engineers, Paiute elders, and anthropologists. It is anticipated that the course will stimulate Native Americans' interest in, and assist in management of their natural history heritage. Hot springs are important cultural and natural resources for Paiutes but they also represent potential sources of revenue from geothermal energy. Furthermore, it is expected that members of the Paiute tribe and UNLV students will each benefit by working together to understand the scientific and cultural importance of the region's hot springs.

该项目的目的是通过整合化学，微生物和分子生物学研究来表征在大沸点（内华达州）中繁盛的异常微生物，以及它们在伟大盆地中的其他温泉中的作用。 在地球上的大多数环境中，太阳是维持生命的能量来源。但是，某些环境并不直接依赖于轻能，因为它不可用或由于物理条件禁止光合作用。例如，在温度始终在73度以上的温泉和其他热栖息地中，光合作用停止。在这样的高温下，生物必须通过转化无机化合物来获得能量，这一过程称为Chemolithoautotrophy。大盆地温泉似乎与黄石国家公园的泉水不同，因为它们似乎由不同的化学自由营养微生物主导。 这些特殊的细菌是科学的新知识。 在这项研究中，将确定温泉的相关化学性质，并用于计算微生物可用的能量。据预测，产生最大能量的反应对春季的微生物最重要。其次，这些预测将直接通过在春季中测量微生物活性并间接测量通过沉积物核心深度测量化学变化来测试。微生物介导的化学反应及其在春季沉积物中的位置的证据将在化学变化中很明显。第三，预测和测量的活性将通过将基因组DNA测序方法与稳定的同位素化学相结合，从而暂时分配给微生物物种。第四，该信息将用于推动尝试在实验室中培养重要微生物的尝试，以便对它们进行更详细的研究。总而言之，该项目将使我们能够更好地了解温泉中的生命基础，并扩大我们对地球生活多样性的了解。在培训本科，研究生和博士后研究人员的培训外，这项研究将与涉及UNLV的夏季野外课程进行协调，该课程涉及UNLV与美国原住民高中生和来自Pyramid Lake paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute paiute lake的学生一起进行。学生和教师将参加旨在确定年间阶级的稳定盆地弹簧的田野和实验实验，包括测量散装化学和对沉积物微生物群落的同时检查。此外，课程将包括由客座科学家，地热工程师，Paiute长老和人类学家领导的来宾讲座和实地考察。预计该课程将刺激美洲原住民对自己的兴趣，并帮助管理其自然历史遗产。温泉是Paiutes的重要文化和自然资源，但它们也代表了地热能的潜在收入来源。此外，预计Paiute Tribe和UNLV学生的成员将通过共同努力了解该地区温泉的科学和文化重要性。